Authorities in Jersey, a British Crown Dependency located in the Channel Islands, are set to repatriate a significant sum of recovered funds to the West African nation. In a major development for asset recovery efforts, Jersey returns $9.5 million to Nigeria, with the funds earmarked to support critical infrastructure projects across the country. This repatriation follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December between the Attorney General for Jersey, Mark Temple KC, and the Federal Government of [Internal Link: Nigeria].
The recent agreement builds upon two previous deals between the two jurisdictions, which involved the return of over $300 million previously held in bank accounts on the island. According to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, [Internal Link: Lateef Fagbemi], the decision that Jersey returns $9.5 million to Nigeria will be implemented strictly “in line with the terms” of the agreement. Fagbemi emphasized that the successful recovery and repatriation of these forfeited assets underscore the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with international partners. He noted that these actions ensure there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth or assets moved to foreign jurisdictions.
The recovered funds have been specifically designated to support the construction of the final stages of the highway linking Abuja and Lagos, a key economic artery for the nation. For Mark Temple, the move signifies the strength of Jersey’s civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the global fight against [Internal Link: corruption]. The Royal Court in 2024 determined that the monies were “more likely than not” proceeds from a corrupt scheme where third-party contractors diverted government funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates.
The funds were originally recovered during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, though the return was delayed due to protracted legal issues. As Jersey returns $9.5 million to Nigeria, stakeholders view this as a continued victory for transparency and the utilization of recovered loot for public benefit.
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